Jan. 13, 2011

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Former Illini running back Mikel Leshoure was awarded the 2010 College Football Performance Awards Running Back trophy as the top running back in the country on Thursday. Leshoure earned the honor based on objective scientific rankings of the extent to which an individual player increases the overall effectiveness of his team, according to the CFPA.

Leshoure recently announced his entrance into the 2011 NFL Draft after a record-breaking junior season in 2010. He was named a second-team All-American by the Associated Press and a first-team All-Big Ten selection. He broke the Illinois single-season rushing record with 1,697 yards and tied the single-season rushing touchdowns record with 17. Leshoure also broke the school record for total touchdowns in a season with 20 and the single-season points scored mark with 122.

His 330 yards against Northwestern at Wrigley Field on Nov. 20 was a single-game school record and was the highest rushing total in the nation in the 2010 season. Leshoure also broke school records for consecutive 100-yard rushing games and 100-yard rushing games in a season. He also earned Texas Bowl MVP honors after rushing for bowl-record 187 yards and three touchdowns in Illinois' 38-14 Texas Bowl victory over Baylor.

The full list of CFPA awards can be found here.